"He is not ready, he has just come back from holiday anyway. At the moment, we are not on that case,' he said. Asked whether a move could still happen, he said: "No.''

Before Christmas, the Gunners boss had played down reports linking him with a loan move for Arsenal's record goalscorer, who now plays for MLS side the New York Red Bulls.

But he then denied he had shut the door on a temporary move for the 35-year-old, who scored twice - both game-winners - in seven games during a loan spell at the Emirates last term.

"I've not lost interest in him," Wenger, who had allowed Henry to train with Arsenal for a month during the MLS off-season, said.

"I've not completely [ruled it out]. But I haven't spoken about it with him at all. We are very close [personally], but at the moment I think he has had a second spell at the club that was very successful. You have to be cautious that it's not one time too many."